Telephone pay station



ec 8, 3 G. A. LONG ET AL 1 2 1,984,976

TELEPHONE PAY STAT I ON Filed June 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l lulu-Minn IIIIIIIIII I I l I Dec. 18; 1934. G, A, LONG in AL 1,984,976

TELEPHONE PAY STATION Filed June 17, 1932 s Sheets-Sheet '2 Dec. 18, 1934. LONG r AL 1,984,976

TELEPHONE PAY STAT ION Filed June 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 23? 0'0 pMyjB o w f 4 64374 a f 46 f I 5 Dec. 18, 1934' G. A. LONG El AL TELEPHONE PAY STAT I ON 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 17, 1932 Dec. 18, 1934. I A, LON Em, 1,984,976

TELEPHONE PAY STATION Filed June 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 25x09? fhr Juno/y Mfi/fl/IIL Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED. STATE-ESL; PATENT OFFICE- 3,

TELEPHONE PAY STATION George A. Long and William WaLong, Hartford, Conn., assignors to The Gray Telephone Pay ,Station Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application June 17 1932, Serial No. 617,764

20 Claims. (01. 179-63).

accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view of an automatic telephone embodying our invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the same.

Figure 3 is a rear view in elevation of the upper part of the telephone with the back board removed.

Figure 4 is a top view of the coin operated switch mechanism.

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of the same with the coin receptacle removed.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure- 5 but looking in the opposite direction.

Figure 7 is a view of the mechanism shown'in Figure 6, looking from the right thereof.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but looking in the opposite direction; I y V Figure 9 is a detail view, scale enlarged, illustrating the switch mechanism in position with.

the switch open.

Figure 10 is a similar view showing the parts in another position with the, switch closed.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10, the switch being closed but the other and advanced position. H

Figure 12 is. a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring of our improved telephone.

This invention relates to an. automatic telephone pay station such as is shown and described in United States Patent to George A. Long, No. 1,383,472, dated Julyfi, 1921 and which embodies a system of coin chutes in which coins are in. troduced into the upper or receiving ends thereof.

as shown in Letters Patent grantedto the said Long June 27, 1916, No. 1,188,666 for delivering coins to asystem of chutes and signals as set.

forth and described in the Long United 'States Letters Patent No. 912,389 granted February 16, 1909. These signals may be of any desired character but preferably they are audible and con sistof sounds from a. bell or gong which is in resonant, connection. with the transmitter 6, I whereby such signalssare'transmitted for audible:

recognition by the operator at a central. oifice, such apparatus being. fully set forth and dethis being effected byjthe party called taking parts being in an-- 1,383,472 whereby on the deposit of a coinor 5' other token the user bridges a gap or break in the electric circuit, and by some other operation, as the taking of the receiver from the hook/an other break in said circuit is made and the circuit is completed thereby enabling, the user to 10 dial and call a party in a mannerthat'will be readily understood. If the partycalled responds to such call the coin deposited for the use of theinstrument will be retained in the coin box,

15 his receiver fromthe hook and in a manner readily understood by those skilled in the art. If the called party does not respond, then the coin will be returned to the user when his receiver is placed uponthe hook andin a'manner common to telephone operations and as will be readily understood. v

Thus far the deposit of the coin, so'far' as the signals are concerned, performs no operation.- If a long distance call is wanted the coin isdeposited as hereinbefore described and then the user may dial the central office in a way that will be readilyunderstood and as provided in the dialing apparatus. The user may then direct the cent'ra-l operator as tothe 'call' desired and the central operator may return the coin already deposited to the user and such central operator will also instruct the user as to the amountof' other coin or tokens to be deposited. If a con nection is'made with the party desiredthecentral operator, by the operation ofa key at her disposal, will deliver the coins into the coin box in the apparatus. If it be found that the party desired cannot be had then the central oflice, by

the operation of 1 another key, will return they the lower portionor base 15 containing the coin. 50

receiving apparatus, embodying a coindrawer 16 and a coin return pocket 17. The telephone apparatus embodies a receiverhook :18 from which a receiver 19 issuspended, a transmitter ZOpIO-QT jectingfrom the front of the case and a: ail-n21 rotatably mounted above the transmitter and which is operatively connected with dial mechanism within the case.

A coin chute plate 22 is located within the case 14 this plate containing chutes or runways for the delivery of coins, inserted in the top of the case, to signaling devices as bells 23, gongs or thelike. The case also contains telephone mechanism 24 arranged in any usual and suitable manner.

All of the parts thus far described will be found specifically mentioned and set forth in the patents hereinbefore mentioned, the coin chute mechanism being shown in Patent No. 917,742 and the telephone mechanism embodying the dial structure in Patent No. 1,383,472.

The coins are inserted through holes 25 in a coin plate 26, shown in Figure 1 and travel along the chutes in different paths depending upon the hole in which they are inserted, in such travel striking the signal devices and finally issuing at the discharge end 27 of the plate 22 at which point they are delivered to a hopper '28 formed as a mouth of a coin receptacle 29 located in the bottom portion of the case 14.

A supporting plate 30 extends across the upper part of the base portion 15 of the case, being mounted thereon as by means of flanges and as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The coin operated switch mechanism is supported on said plate, said mechanism comprising an electromagnet 31 consisting of a pair of coils with an armature 32, said-armature and coils being constructed to impart a tipping movement to the armature in opposite'directions in a manner that will be readily understood, said armature being pivotally mounted in a frame 33 supported by the magnets. The magnets, armature and members directly supported and actuated thereby are of old and'well known construction and further and detailed description, apart; from specific mention, is therefore omitted herein, said parts except in'connection'with members now to be described forming no part of the present invention.

A trigger 34is pivotally mounted upon the" frame 33, as upon a pivot 35, and projects into a slot in the lower part of the hopper 28 to be engagedv by a coin passing through said. hopper into the receptacle 29. The. trigger, has a U- shaped portion 36 to which is fastened a, flexible member or spring 37 the free end of which rests against a side part of the frame 33, as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, to hold the trigger in its raised position, said trigger being movable in said slot under the influence of the weight of a coin and by said spring.

' A' switch actuating frame 38 is pivotally mounted as upon an arbor 39 extending through posts 40 projecting from opposite side parts of the frame 33, and. as shown in Figures 4 to ,8 of the drawings. A switch actuating arm 41 projects from the frame 38 and rests upon the-top of a lug 42 projecting from the upper edge of the trigger 34. A cam finger 43 projects from the frame 38 and has a cam 44 engaged with a frame actuating roller 45 mounted on a pivot 46 secured to and extending from an ear 47 projecting downwardly from a rock plate 48 rigidly'secured to the armature 32 and as shownin Figure 7: of-the drawings and in dotted lines in Figures 9 to 11.

A switchcontrolling frame 49 of the same general U-shape as the frame 38' is pivotally 7 mounted, on the arbor 39 and has an outwardly projecting switch supporting arm 50 and a downwardly projecting cam finger 51 having a cam 52 for engagement by the actuating roller 45, the fingers 43 and 51 being located preferably side by side and as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, and the cams 44 and 52 being a little differently shaped and operating in a manner to be presently described.

The arm 41 is slightly offset to bring it substantially in the plane of the arm 50 and the cross part 53 of a switch supporting lever 54 is pivotally attached at its opposite ends to the arms 41 and 50, and as shown in Figures 9 to 11 of the drawings, and a switch opening spring 55 is tensioned against the cross part 53 and the arm 50 to move said parts downwardly, the cross part 53 turning on its pivot 56 in this action, in a manner to be hereinafter described, said spring also maintaining contact between the cam 52 and the roller 45.

l A switch 57 is supported in the lower end of the switch supporting lever 54, as shown in Figs. 9 to 11 of the drawings, said switch comprising a case with a fluid conductor therein adapted to make contact with terminals 58 and 59 connected with wires 60 and 61, one of said wires, as 61, extending to a ground and the other of said wires, as 60, extending to one of the terminals of the electromagnet 31.

The telephones herein shown, including the calling mechanism comprising the dials 21, are normally inactive and become active upon the performance of certain acts on the part of the user or users of the instruments. In the apparatus shown herein the closing of two switches is necessary to enable a party calling to initiate a call. One of these acts is the deposit of a coin which results in the following operation:

A coin having been inserted in one of the holes 25 passes along one of the chutes in the plate 22, striking a signal or signals, which effect may be disregarded at the present time. The coin drops from the chuteinto the hopper 28, striking the trigger 34, tilting it on its pivot and thereby moving the lug 42 from underneath the actuating arm 41, permitting the latter to drop from the position shown in Figure 9. Thereupon the frame 38 swings upwardly, pivoting on the arbor 39, and the lever 54 also pivots on its pivot 62 thereby tipping the lever 54 from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Fig. 10 and causes the liquid conductor in the switch57 to bridge the contacts 58--59, thereby closing the switch at this point. In this movement of the frame 38 the cam 44 which is normally out of contact with the roller 45 is carried against said roller from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown'in Figure 10. v

The receiver 19 having been removed from its hook and the latter swinging upward in a manner common to structures of this class a switch 63 (see Fig. 12) is closed thereby completing the circuit so that the dial 21 may be operated in the usual manner for calling purposes. I

If the party called responds the removal of the receiver 64 (see Fig. 12) from its hook will close the switch 65 and this act not only completes the talking circuit but it-also energizes the magnet 31, tipping its armature in one direction to deliver the coin into the coin box 16, in a manner that will be readily understood and as particularly set forth and described in the aforesaid Patent No. 1,383,472 hereinbefore mentioned.

. In the present instance the energizing of the magnet 31 swings a leaf 66, shown'in dotted outneeaa'ze line in Figure 3, to the right and from under-- neath a trap 67 and thelatter tipping on its-pivot;

delivers the coin; on, to the; leaf which directs it through the outlet 68 into said coin box, 31.001111? tor-poisereturning theleaf to its normal position. The leaf 66. is provided with a roller 69 that rolls incontact with the underside-of the trap 67.

Should. the partyv called notrespond the magnet 31 will be so energized that its armature will tip in the opposite direction to that above described andthe leaf 66 will be swung inthe opposite direction, thereby delivering'the coin through.

an outlet 70 and into the return pocket 17, where it may beobtained by the user.

The leaf 66 is actuated by the armature, in the structure herein shown, by means of a pin 71 projecting through. a slot in the case (see dotted.

lines, in Fig. 3) into a notch in a trap actuating lever 72, said lever being rigidly secured at its upper end to the rocking plate 48-that has tipping movement, impartedto it by the armature 32 as it is tipped, as hereinbefore described. 7

The mechanism for operating the switch 57 is so arranged that the switch will remain closed until the movement of the parts is practically completed, this being essential in order that the magnet will not be deenergized and thus prevent a completion of the operation. Whichever-direction the armature is tipped, as hereinbefore described, the roller 45 will pass upwardly from the position shown in Figure 10 to the position shown.

in Figure 11, thereby so engaging the cams 44 and 52 as to simultaneously rock both of the This tipping movement of the armature also.

raises the arm- 41 above the lug 42 allowing the latter to pass under the arm under the influence of the spring 37. to retain said arm in its raised position until the next operation. When the magnet becomes deenergized and the armature returns to its normal position the roller 45 releases the cam.'44 and the frame 49 is returned by the action of the spring 55 to the position shown in Figure 9, whereby the operation may be repeated when desired.

This switch may well be termed a gravity switch, in that it is the force of gravity that controlsmovement of the fluid conductor, as mercury, orother conducting substance, which has been found by us to be particularly advantageous for use in connection with telephone apparatus,

asit enables the operation of the magnets to be controlled to a degree'not possible with apparatus heretofore used in the operation of telephones.

If the calling party wishes a long distance call acoin is' deposited ashereinbefore described nd the receiver 19 is removed from the hook 18 thereby closing the two circuits as hereinbefore described-at the switches 57 and 63, the wire 61 of the latter being connected with the ground 73 as hereinbefore explained. This enables the operation of the dial 21 and consequent actuation of the dialing mechanism 74 (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 12) to call the central oflice in a manner that will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art, and as, for instance, by insertion of the fingerin the hole designated by 0 on the dial. The operation of a button by the central operator in a manner that will be readily understoodcauses the. magnet" to deliver the'coin to the party calling in the manner; hereinbef'ore? de+ scribed. Said operator-also directs the party to. deposit the proper coins; or tokens: tolrpay for the call,v andi thesepass along the chutes in. the plate 22. as hereinbefore'described and into the coin receptacle 29.2. I 1 p If theconnection with theparty called iscompleted'; the operator at. the central exchange,

presses a certain: button and the coin mechanism is'operatedf as hereinbefore described to deliver coins into. the coin box. 16. If theconnectionrcannot be obtained then the said operator by press.- ing another button: operates the magnetj31. to-der' liverthe coinszinto the returnpocket I7. 1'

The signals are effective when-thelongdistance calls are desired, as said signals-being inresonant connection with. the talking circuit the operator atthe central exchange is enabled, by means-of: the=sounds, to;- determine that the proper coins or tokenshave been, deposited to, pay for the call. The diagrammatic illustration in Fig. 12 willbe readily understood by those skilled in the art of telephone construction and operation without further'and detailed description, other than as centained'herein, this wiring and other electrical. mechanism being of. old andwell knownconstruction'and the connections throughthe telephone exchange being well understood, the present in? vention, residing in the combination of certain mechanisms hereinbefore explained, in combination with the telephone apparatus, whicheenables the ordinary automatictelephone to beoperated through the medium of coins ontokensdeposited for use of the instrumentsfor'local calls, or for long distance-calls which may be obtainedby aid of an operator at the central exchange;

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes we have described. the principles of operation of: our invention together with the device which wenow consider torepresent the best. em-

bodiment thereof; but we desire to have it under stood that the device shownis only illustrative,

and that the invention may be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above pointedout.

We claim:

1. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, a telephone receiver support mounted for shifting, movement. and coin operated means coniointly effective to control the circuit of which saidconnections form apart, saidcoin:

operated means comprising a switch. including a medium movable to, opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in eitherxof saidpositions or to moveto the other position,

and means for moving said switch While delaying operationofsaid medium, said meansbeing move able in opposite directions to-eifect'the'foregoing operations, all combined with means for effecting the-action by coins of different denominations. ofv signals of different, characters;

2. A telephone pay stationcomprising circuit connections, .a telephone receiver. supportv mounted for shifting. movement andcoin operated means, said support and coin operated. means having devices including av switch embodying a medium movableto openingiand-closing positions and inherentlycapable of remaining in either of said positions or to move toanother position, and

means-for moving said switch-while delaying operation of said medium,- said means being-movable inopposite directions to effect the'foregoing operations. said devices being operatively asso: ciated with-said support, and coin operated means for conjointactionto close said Circuit of which said connections form apart. w

3. A'telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, a telephone receiver support mounted for shifting movement, means operativewith said support for controlling the circuit of which said connections form a part, and coin operated .means comprising a switch including a medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining'in either of said positions or to move to another position to control the same circuit at another point and means associated with the switch and movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, the two controlling means being operative before control of said circuit can be obtained.

4; A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, a mechanical device set in action by a subscriber, means governed by said mechanical device for controlling the'circuit, coin operable means for also controlling said circuit, said coin operable means comprising a switch including a medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions or to move to the other position, and means for moving said switch while delaying operation of said medium, said means being movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, the two controlling means being conjointly effective, and coin operable means for producing signals or different characters.

5. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections having two breaks, a telephone receiver support shift-ably mounted, means operative with said support for bridging one or" said breaks, and coin operable means for bridging'the other break, said coin operated means compris ing a case containing a conducting medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions or to move to the other position, and means associated with the case and movable in opposite directions to eiiect the foregoing operations.

6. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, means operative by a coin for. controlling the circuit of which said connections form a part, said means comprising a casecontaining a conducting medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions or to move to the other position, and means for moving said case while delaying operation of said medium, said means being movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, and coin controlled signal means operable independently of the coin operative circuit controlling means.

'7. A telephone pay station having means operable by a coin for causing the action of a signal, said means comprising a case containing a conducting medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capableof remaining in either of said positions or to move to the other position, means associated with the case and movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, audible signal means operable independently of the other means, and a telephone transmitter in resonant connection with said audible signal means.

8. A telephone pay station having distinct means for operating a signal, audible means operating as a signal, coin operated means for causing the operation of said signal means to produce signals of different characters, said coin operated means comprising a case containing a conducting medium movable to opening and 0105 ing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions orto move to the otherpositiom and means for moving said case while delaying operation of said medium, said means being movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, and a telephone transmitter in resonant connection with said signal means.

9. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, a plurality of interdependent circuit controlling devices one of which is coinop erable for controlling the circuit of which said connections form a part, said coin operable device comprising a case containing a conducting medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions or to move to the other position, means associated with the case and movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, a telephone transmitter, means operable by coins for sounding signals of different characters and in resonant connection with said telephone transmitter, means for temporarily retaining the coins in a group after they have operated said signal means, and means for causing the coins to take different paths.

1o. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, mutually dependent devicesv for controlling the circuit of which said. connections form a part and one of which is coin operable, a device to temporarily retain the coin means for effecting the discharge of the coin from said device, means for maintaining the circuit during the discharge of the coin, said means comprising a switch including a medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions or to move to another position and means for moving said switch while delaying operation of said medium, and said means being movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations. 7}

11. A telephone pay station comprising a telephone having a transmitter and a receiver, the station also involving a calling dial associated with the telephone, the telephone being normally inoperative by a subscriber for the transmission of intelligence to another subscriber, coin operated means at the station and including a switch comprising a medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions or to move to the other position to render the telephone operative and to render the calling dial'opera'tiveto make a local call to said other subscriber, means for moving said switch while delaying operation of said medium, said means being movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, and means for effecting the actionby coins of different denominations of signals of different characters.

12. A telephone pay station comprising a telephone having a transmitter and a receiver, the station also involving a calling dial associated with the telephone, the telephone being normally inoperative by a subscriber for the transmission of intelligence to another subscriber, coin operated means at the station comprising a switch including a medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions or to move to the other position to render the telephone operative and torender the calling dial operative to make a local call to said other subscriber, means associated with the switch and movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, and

means for effecting the action by coins of different denominations of audible signals of different characters.

13. A telephone pay station comprising a telephone having a transmitter and a receiver, the station also involving a calling dial associated with the telephone, the latter being normally inoperative by a subscriber for the transmission of intelligence to another local subscriber, coin operated means at the station comprising a switch including a member movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions until moved to the other position to render the telephone operative and to render the calling dial operative to make a local call to said other subscriber, means for moving said switch while delaying operation of said medium, said means being movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, and means for effecting the action by coins of different denominations of audible signals of different characters, said audible signals being in resonant connection with said transmitter.

14. A telephone pay station comprising a telephone having a transmitter and a receiver, the

- station also involving a calling member associated with the telephone, the calling member being normally inoperative and the telephone being normally inoperative by a subscriber for the transmission of intelligence to another subscriber, coin operated means at the station comprising a switch including a member movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions until moved to the other position to render the telephone operative and to render the calling member operative to make a local call to another subscriber, means associated with the switch and movable in opposite directions to effect the foregoing operations, and means for effecting the action by coins of different denominations of audible signals in resonant connection with the transmitter of said telephone.

15. The combination in a telephone instrument comprising a transmitter, receiver and calling dial, of a container having liquid (such as mercury) for closing a circuit, means affected through insertion of coins for causing said container to take a position to make the calling dial effective to establish talkin conditions by closing said circuit, means for moving said container while delaying operation of the liquid therein, and distinct means at the central office to cause said container to return to its original position depending upon the disposition of the desired call.

16. The combination in a telephone instrument comprising a transmitter, receiver and calling dial normally inoperative for talking, of a container having liquid for closing a circuit, means operable through the insertion of a coin to cause said liquid to take a position to render the calling dial effective for calling purposes, means for moving said container while delaying operation of the liquid therein, and separate and distinct means at the central oflice for returning the container and the liquidtherein to its original and normal position.

17. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, a telephone receiver support mounted for shifting movement and coin operated means conjointlyieifective to control the circuit of which said connections form a part, said coin operated means comprising a switch, a switch actuating member for operating said switch, means for moving said member in one direction to actuate the switch, means for oppositely moving said member to effect delayed operation of the switch, and

means for effecting the action by coins of differ ent denominations of signals of different character.

18. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, a telephone receiver support mounted for shifting movement and coin operated means conjointly effective to control the circuit of which said connections form a part, said coin operated means comprising a switch, a switch actuating member for operating said switch, means for moving said member in one direction to actuate the switch, means for oppositely moving said member to delay operation of the switch and then for moving it differently to effect operation of the switch, andmeans for effecting the action by coins of different denominations of signals of difierent character.

19. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, a telephone receiver support mounted for shifting movement and coin operated means conjointly effective to control the circuit of which said connections form a part, a switch supporting member, a case supported by said member and having terminals projecting thereinto, a mobile electrical conductor contained within the case, means for moving said case while delaying shifting movement of said conductor, and meansfor effecting the action by coins of different denominations of signals of different character.

20. A telephone pay station comprising circuit connections, a telephone receiver support mounted for shifting movement and coin operated means conjointly effective to control the circuit of which said connections form a part, said coin operated means comprising a switch including a perpendicular lev'er with an element at one end thereof having a medium movable to opening and closing positions and inherently capable of remaining in either of said positions or to move to the other position, all combined with means for effecting the action by coins of different denominations of sig- 

